Uncovering the Mask of Blind Ambition
As women living in today’s world, we know what it is to be ambitious. As a matter of fact, ambition is a characteristic that we encourage in our children and I dare say, particularly in our girls. It’s one of the ways we try to ensure that they get ahead in life and are not taken advantage of.
Too often though, we think of ambition as the key to success. And that without it, one is doomed to absolute failure.
I recall my own college years and the ambition that drove me. I was on a path to success and had all the pieces of my life completely figured out.
Or so I thought.
What was missing, as I soon found out, was the one ingredient that could make all the difference.
You see, nowhere in my lofty plans could God be found.
Yes, I talked about Him, said my obligatory prayers and even attended church when my hectic college schedule allowed… usually just at Easter time.
But to say that God was at the helm of my ship would be the furthest from the truth.
Without God, mine was of the blind ambition variety.
Maybe you can’t relate to any of this. Or can you?
What if you took a moment to reflect on your life right now? Where would God be found?
Is God there to rubber-stamp your plans or is He the master designer?
Is God the afterthought or is He your first thought?
Do you have God simply along for the ride or is He the pilot?
When it comes to making decisions, is God a bystander or is He your lead counsel?
Where does God fit in your plans?
Have you been wearing a mask of blind ambition?
To keep things in proper perspective, I often go back to Jeremiah 29:11-13. Partly because it’s such a popular verse when we talk about purpose, but also because it’s so powerful.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
As you read it again, you’ll see that there’s something about plans-hopes-dreams that go together with seeking-praying-finding.
I hope we don’t focus on the part of that verse that we desire and forget the latter part.
Sure, we can be strong, powerful, ambitious women but let’s be sure that our ambition is squarely based on God’s plans for our lives, above our own.
I encourage you, if you’ve been blinded by your own ambition, allow God to remove the mask. Let Him gently lead you to the path He has set out for you. I promise, it will be better than any plan you could ever come up with on your own. Trust me, I know!
By the way, we love to hear from you! Do you think that our ambition has anything to do with God? How has He revealed His plans for your life?